Читать книгу Life in the Open Ocean - Joseph J. Torres - Страница 38

Active life exists from −20 °C in arctic insects to 113 °C in some of the Archaea found at hydrothermal vents (Hochachka and Somero 2002). In marine systems, the most challenging habitat is in the intertidal zone, where at low tide, winter cold and summer heat can act directly on an exposed fauna. For pelagic species, the window of life is more narrow and more comfortable, ranging from −1.86 °C in polar waters to about 40 °C or slightly more in the waters of the Red Sea. With the possible exception of some small species of copepods (e.g. Oithona similis), no species is found over the entire range of temperatures in the pelagic zone.

Two basic effects of temperature are our main concern in this book: its effects on survival and its effects on vital rate processes such as metabolism. The literature on temperature and animal life is as fascinating as it is huge. We can only delve into it far enough to appreciate the basics. The best way to start will be with terminology.